Family mourns victim of suspected DUI crash

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BELLINGHAM — It may be a grim reminder on New Year’s Eve of the dangers of drinking and driving.

Washington State Troopers say alcohol was likely a factor in a fatal collision early Tuesday morning in Bellingham. It happened along State Route 539, also known as Guide Meridian Rd, and Smith Road.

Brox Browning

Troopers say an SUV driven by 23-year old Travis Holst, of Ferndale, was going northbound at a high rate of speed. Witnesses said he was driving erratically and was using all lanes to get around traffic, before crossing the center line and striking a Honda Civic driven by 20-year old Brox Browning of Lynden. Browning died at the scene. Holst was transported to St. Joe’s Hospital in Bellingham, but died a short time later.

“[He] was always the funniest guy in the room.” said Blake Browning, Brox’s brother. “No one could make me laugh like him and no one could laugh like he could.”

Browning is now coming to grips with the fact that he’ll never hear his brother’s laugh again.

“The fact I’ll never get to see him again for something he wasn’t in control of, something he couldn’t help kind of hurts,” said Browning.

Troopers said there was a strong smell of alcohol coming off Holst at the time of the crash.

“This is a very unfortunate reminder, a very sad reminder what not to do tonight,” said Trooper Keith Leary, in a warning about the dangers of drinking and driving. “This should be a wake-up call for everybody to start off the new year.”

6 comments

Poo

cwl

Poo … I agree!! One DUI, 30 days in jail! Two DUI, lose your license for one year after a 90 day jail term. Three DUI, one year in jail and lose license for five years after jail term!! Four …. well then its time to take you out back and shoot ya!!

Lynden

Mitch Blondin

To the Family of this handsome young man I offer my DEEPEST, HEARTFELT Sorrow this morning… I have walked the gut wrenching path you start today…We lost our 14 year old Danny 5 years ago 12/27/08 to a DRUNK DRIVER… The ANGER has never left me and to this day I want my piece of revenge on this man… I hate that the pathetic actions of this KILLER caused harm to Our Danny… And he changed life as we knew it…You cannot be everywhere to protect your son or daughter. But if drivers DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE you protect others around YOU….People Look in the mirror before you drink and drive…

Brian Pike

TO ALL WHO POSTED MAY YOU KNOW THAT TOXICOLOGY REPORTS CAME BACK AND NOT A DROP OF ALCOHOL. YOU HAVE NOW SAID SOMETHING YOU CAN'T TAKE BACK AND WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN BY HIS FAMILY. NONE OF YOU KNEW THE WHOLE STORY INCLUDING THE PERSON REPORTING SO HOW ARE YOU GOING TO HANDLE RECTIFYING THIS NOW. I AGREE DRIVING INTOXICATED OR UNDER THE INFLUENCE IS A SHAME BUT I ALSO BELEIVE AF GETTING FACTS BEFORE PROSECUTING AND NONE OF YOU DID MAY YOU LIVE WITH THE GUILT